Vet advice… AIBU about costs.

[MyFairLady22]

My Dog is 11yrs old. She’s a large breed and is therefore a good age. She’s been loved and cared for to within an inch of her life for every moment of those 11 years! She’s on YouMove Max, salmon oil capsules, and prescription anti inflammatory medication from our vet.

In the past few months, she’s been back and forth to the vet with trembling… shaking…wobbling and difficulty getting in the car/on the bed/sofa. I lift her! It’s worsened in the past few weeks. Suddenly, she jerks/mouth snaps/falls. She eats well. Swims. Plays. Gets groomed twice a day (she’s very woolly ☺️).

Now, the vet thinks she’s having myoclonic seizures. A form of late onset epilepsy/fitting but NOT losing consciousness. It is caused by tumours to which the breed is susceptible. I’ve put mats all over the house to prevent slipping; bought two ramps she will not use! Support her on off my bed at night (I’m divorced - she took over the vacant side of the bed pretty quickly!).

This morning, went to the vets for her blood test for the medicine she’s on. The vet last week tested her liver/kidney function and fasted blood sugar which all came back “like a five year old dog’s”She’s pretty healthy but for this degenerative disease process starting recently.

Today, it has been suggested to do a referral to a neurologist. Months ago, my own lovely vet, who knows I’m paying my own bill said “It depends how far you want to go and in reality, WHAT YOU DO with the results; she’s an old girl (for the breed); were she a puppy or aged 5, then that’d be very different”. This helped me enormously. The vet understood that I just don’t have endless funds available and we agreed that scans etc were NOT the way to go.

So, AIBU to feel frantic that now, the vet is suggesting initial diagnostic tests totalling £3,500 as a starting point? It’s like we never had the conversation about costs. My sister has offered to loan me the money but this payment is just the first consultation and scan.

Help please. Am I giving up on man’s best friend? AIBU to think the vet has done a total u-turn on appropriate treatment options?

I have an old dog with several health issues.
Tumours international and external.
Probably liver cancer and spreading.

Quality of life is decent.
Still enjoys walks and food. Mobility not too bad.

But at this age ( 11 years old in your case) there is no way I will be pursuing tests or investigative treatment, because it's about quality time, not prolonging time at any cost.

I think it's down to how you responded to the vet. He's clearly given you options - very expensive consultations, let her continue as is (which doesn't sound appropriate) or put her to sleep. It's now up to you to make the choice. You don't seem to have indicated that you want her put down, so he's moving onto the alternative.

You have my sympathies.

I think you need to be very clear with your vet. Ask them specifically how the mri results would change treatment rather than a try and see approach to managing symptoms.

I have refused some diagnostic tests in the past when the benefits versus putting him through stressful tests didn’t seem worth it to me irrespective of costs. And in your situation then no I wouldn’t do the MRI even though for us that would be covered by insurance unless it would dramatically alter the treatment plan and quality of life.

All he’s done is set out your options. Your dog’s quality of life sounds minimal. I know what I would do.

All he’s done is set out your options. Your dog’s quality of life sounds minimal. I know what I would do.

All he’s done is set out your options. Your dog’s quality of life sounds minimal. I know what I would do.

All he’s done is set out your options. Your dog’s quality of life sounds minimal. I know what I would do.

I’m was in a similar situation, chihuahua 12 years old, has started having seizures. The difference is my vet was very clear she’s old, theirs not much they can do she’s probably got a tumour somewhere that’s causing them. And in a lot of ways thought it was better to just manage symptoms then endless tests.
Ive made some changes she no longer sleeps on the bed, just in case she has a seizure rolls off and has a bad fall. I’m also feeding her on purina neurocare which I do think helps.

We have, and have had, numerous animals from farm animals to inside pets and ones in between. It's not reasonable to compromise your financial security for expensive treatment to prolongs life of a pet that doesn't actually have a chance of curing the underlying issue. I Absolutely get the emotional side of treating pets, but they are not humans, they are animals and prolonging life that compromises finances because nobody can face the alternative is not a reasonable option. You give your pets their best life whilst they can live it, that is what you do as an owner. You are not obligated to prolong it beyond what the pet can live.

Will a diagnosis make any difference? Is it something that can be helped with medication? Or could the medication be trialled on the assumption she has the condition. But at 11, quaintly if life is all that matters so I’d be guided by that.

Do you have an Animal Trust near or or another not for profit vets? The difference is absolutely astounding! My vet quoted several thousand pounds for some urgent treatment for my dog and the Animal trust were able to do it for £600!

When I went back to my local vet for the referal, the staff said they're embarrassed and appalled at the prices they charge but have no control (is a chain)

You just say no, I won’t be going ahead with that.

Our dog had all the symptoms of a ln illness that needed an MRI scan to confirm at £1500…we said no. Vet was happy to treat on symptoms.

I presume they have to OFFER you the option so it’s informed consent but you’re not BU to decline.

Thank you for the responses. Even with the possibility of approaching Animal Trust I’m not sure I want her messed with. My own vet actually warned me that a CT/MRI scan involved an anaesthetic and it not being an emergency or young animal, it was a major thing to factor in. Now… all that’s changed.

Medication cannot be offered/prescribed without an actual diagnosis. Diagnosis… starts at £3500.

I appreciate the attitude that she is actually a dog. Much loved and cared for but, an animal. I think (I’m not a vet!!) if she had an undiagnosed condition at aged 5 or so then yes, with possibly years ahead of her to enjoy her rolling in muck/chasing squirrels and being adored (like she’s my child) it’d be an expensive no brainer. This feels different.

I wonder why my vet has suddenly changed her stance?

No point testing for what you can’t fix, which sounds like it’s the case here, given age and health. You’d be putting the dog through stuff unnecessarily, before you even worry about the money part.

When my ddog started peeing specs of bloody vet suggested bladder cancer and a referral to The Big Clinic. Starting point £3200 for scans etc or an exploratory op for 300 at the vet she knew.. Opted for the op which unfortunately didn't show anything although blood work hinted at cancer.. Ddog was 11. Prescribed pills to slow down any growth. She got another 18 months before it spread to her bones (back leg was withering away) she managed well and was well in herself for a while. Then The Time came and she was pts... Living in jam and bread to cover huge bill simply wasn't an option.. Ddog was well loved and I have no guilt we didn't go ott with treatment..

Has your vet seen a video of the event?

This. The best is not measured in £££.

Treat the symptoms. Let the last phase of your beloved dog’s life be as comfortable as possible, and when the time comes you will know you have given her the best you could.

Your vet should give you all the options including expensive diagnostic tests but that doesn’t mean you should do them and often they aren’t actually saying that it’s the best option but they have to give you the choice. We are managing a chronic condition and two different vets have said ‘obviously I need to tell you about this operation that could be done etc’ when it is clear from me that it is a no and it’s obvious reading between the lines that they also don’t think it’s the right thing but it’s also right that they mention it incase it was something I wanted to do.

Modern medicine and especially veterinary medicine have made such huge advances.Vet probably feels obligated to tell you every possibility of treatment. Personally I believe that just because they can do it doesn't mean that they should . I feel the same regarding humans . Once an animal is not enjoying good quality of life and able to do the things that brought them happiness it is time to let them go . It's our selfish desire to keep them around for us . Animals don't fear death as we do . And why put them through any pain or distress unnecessarily when the outcome will be the same.

My DD has a beautiful 15 year old Golden Retriever. A great age for this breed according to the vet. He has good quality of life. Enjoys a sedate walk. On fact trots off in the opposite direction like a puppy if DD seems his walk is long enough for his age and wants to bring him back before he thinks he's ready. 😄 She is insured and has a very good vet who has prescribed half a paracetamol morning and evening for his arthritis and he takes other drugs bought on line to help with this as well. Noth the vet and dd agree that other slight symptoms he now has they will 'leave well alone'. As the vet says ...he has had a marvellous life and, at his age he will be fine until he's not fine and 'you will know'. He is enjoying a happy, contented old age and, in general, I think this is the best approach for very old dogs 🦮♥️

This, in spades.

Also, what difference would a diagnosis make? If it is being caused by a tumour and surgery is the answer, would you put an 11 year old large breed dog through that? She probably wouldn't survive it and die on the table. I have an 18 year old pony who recently went through surgery. The rehabilitation was harder on him than the surgery and if anything else happens, I won't put him through another one. You really have to think if spending all this money on a diagnoses is really going to be worth it, or are you just spending thousands getting an answer as to what exactly is making your elderly dog go downhill. We cannot stave off death by treating every ailment.

As to why your vet has changed his mind, does he work for a corporation? Has someone put pressure on him to make more money from you? Because I cannot think why he would do a u turn like this.

Age aside, what would be the outcome of the scans? Would there be an improvement of quality of life, however long it lasts, or just a confirmation diagnosis?

If there is no treatment for whatever diagnosis, what would be the point of the scans? If there is treatment, is it going to improve quality of life, cure the condition or prolong suffering?

I think I'd be asking these questions and then deciding on how to proceed.

Yes. Several videos which at first suggested myoclonic seizure (I think, like petit mal firs where’s there’s no loss of consciousness). But. The meds for that have side effects and cannot be given without diagnosis. From discussion with my own vet, who is very kind and helpful, I think she feels it’s more spinal so, after the MRI initially, it’d likely be a spinal fluid exam (another anaesthetic).

She’s such a beautiful girl, I don’t want it for her. Money aside, I just wish there were something more gentle I could do.